Hi,
I'm having a problem with the task copy-paste functionality, which I use very frequently, in the most recent release of Project Online Desktop Client. I'd love any help you can provide.
Description of the Problem:
Recently, when copying tasks in Microsoft Project Online Desktop Client, only partial task data is being copied and pasted. Previously, when selecting an entire task row (including summary tasks) and copying it, all task-related data would be copied, including:
- Resource assignments
- Work
- Assignment units
- Duration
- Start and finish dates
- Predecessors and successors
- Task constraints (e.g., "As soon as possible")
- Notes
- All sub-task information for summary tasks (with correct indentation)
Upon pasting, this data would be transferred in its entirety, allowing for efficient duplication of task structures and bulk modifications using find/replace.
Now, when performing the same action, the behavior has changed. After copying, only the task name is pasted. The following issues occur:
- Incomplete data transfer: Only the task name is pasted, and no other task details (resource assignments, dates, durations, etc.) are carried over.
- Loss of summary task structure: For summary tasks, the sub-tasks are not properly indented; instead, the sub-task names are pasted as independent tasks, with no hierarchical structure.
- Task constraint issue: Pasted tasks now seem to have a "Finish no later than..." constraint applied, which appears to be derived from the original finish dates. This suggests the finish dates are being pasted as fixed constraints, overriding the original "As soon as possible" constraint that the task originally had.
It seems as though the copy-paste functionality is not pulling all data fields from the task row but instead is only capturing a subset (task name and finish date). This behavior is different from what used to happen, where all task attributes would be included in the copy-paste operation.
- Is this an intended change or a bug?
- Has anyone found a workaround to ensure all task details are copied when using copy-paste functionality in the Desktop Client?
- Can I adjust settings to restore the original copy-paste behavior?
- Could this be related to a recent update or settings change in Microsoft Project?
- Are there any known changes to how Microsoft Project handles copying tasks between project files, or perhaps with Project Online Desktop Client specifically?
- Can this be escalated to the Project development team?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Rob
MS Project user since 1996
